It depends on where you live. Philippine residents, Zika is unlikely to be a problem. That's because it take two factors for the virus to spread: actively infected people and the right kind of mosquitoes to spread it.
Should you worry?
About 80 percent of people who get Zika don't even know it. The other 20 percent may get a rash, a fever or pinkeye, but Zika hardly ever causes serious illness.
But pregnant women planning to travel should worry. For pregnant women who to plan travel: Please take this very seriously.. Experts advise pregnant women to seriously consider postponing travel to any Zika-affected regions. That's because Zika is suspected of causing microcephaly, a serious birth defect in which the brain is underdeveloped.
Experts notes that many news outlets are publishing maps that show the known distribution of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and their cousins, Aedes albopictus. "Don't make the assumption that you are going to see outbreaks in that distribution of mosquitoes," experts said. "That's just where the mosquitoes are." Again, those mosquitoes would need a pool of infected humans to bite before they could spread the virus. Right now, Zika is spreading fastest in tropical cities with dense populations and poor mosquito control.
Can't we just kill all the mosquitos?
People have been trying for hundreds of years to do that. Mosquito control can work — wetlands draining and aggressive control with pesticides. But wide use of the best bug killers, like DDT, stopped when their effects on the environment outweighed the benefits. Brazil actually did eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever and other diseases in the 1950s, but the mosquitoes gradually returned.
"Controlling this type of mosquito is difficult," experts said. "It is easy to say, 'Get rid of the mosquito.' It is a lot harder to do it."
It's very hard to kill Aedes mosquitoes because they like to breed in unexpected places, such as bottle caps filled with water, trash cans and discarded tires. Brazil is experimenting with genetically engineered mosquitoes that lay dud eggs, but it's an early experiment. It's also trying fish that eat mosquito larvae, but that approach doesn't work for urban breeding sites.
What should you do?
Like Dengue and chikungunya, Zika is feared. Here are simple ways to help prevent breeding of mosquitos:
Breeding Site Reduction
The most effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods is to find and eliminate their breeding sites - standing water. Adults of some mosquito species remain near their breeding site. Others can travel long distances, even up to several miles. Because of this, problem mosquitoes may come from breeding sites some distance away.
Regardless of recent weather patterns - wet, dry, warm, or cool - there are plenty of potential places in which mosquitoes can develop. A neglected bird bath, swimming pool, or clogged rain gutter can produce hundreds of new mosquitoes in a just a few days. Trees uprooted by storms leave soil depressions that collect seepage and rainwater. Large areas of standing water, such as from swamps, sluggishly moving streams or ditches may require efforts beyond those of individual property owners.
However, there are effective steps that individuals can take to minimize mosquito breeding on their property:
Dispose of old tires, buckets, aluminum cans, plastic sheeting or other refuse that can hold water. Empty accumulated water from trash cans, boats, wheel barrows, pet dishes, and flower pot bottoms. If possible, turn these items over when they are not in use.
Clean debris from rain gutters and unclog obstructed downspouts. Clogged rain gutters are one of the most overlooked breeding sites for mosquitoes around homes. Remove any standing water on flat roofs or around structures. Repair leaking faucets and air conditioners that produce puddles for several days.
Change water in bird baths and wading pools at least once a week and keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated. Ornamental pools can be aerated or stocked with mosquito-eating fish. Aeration / water movement helps because mosquitoes prefer quiet, non-flowing water for egg-laying and development.
Fill or drain ditches and swampy areas, and other soil depressions and remove, drain, or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar or sealant to prevent accumulation of water. Eliminate standing water and seepage around animal watering troughs, cisterns, and septic tanks. Be sure that cistern screens are intact and that access covers fit tightly.
Pest Control
Larval Control. Use of a mosquito larvicide may be beneficial when it is impractical to eliminate a breeding site. Larvicides are insecticides which are used to control immature mosquitoes before they have a chance to develop into biting adults.
Mosquito development will be inhibited for up to a month in ornamental ponds and similar bodies of water; longer protection is provided in sites that periodically dry out.
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| Residual spraying/larviciding |
Mosquito breeding sites are not always obvious or accessible so some nearby sources will remain undetected or impractical to treat. Also, mosquitoes can fly in from some distance away. Therefore, it may be necessary to take additional measures against adults.
Mosquitoes prefer to rest in protected sites during the day. Yards with lots of trees, shrubs, and dense vegetation or properties adjoining such areas, can have nightmarish problems. Consequently, removal of tall weeds and overgrowth is part of an integrated mosquito management program.
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| Misting for adult mosquitos |
For preventive maintenance treatment against mosquitos, you may wish to hire our services. We are fully licensed and equipped with the latest machineries to combat mosquitos. Call us at hotline 0927-365-2847 anywhere in the Philippines. Or you may contact our branches in major cities: Pasay/Makati area (02) 370-7778; Bacolod City/Negros Occ. (034)479-9993; Iloilo City, Iloilo (033) 393-3668; Cebu city (032) 513-7116. You can also shoot us an email at info@tekpest.com or visit our website http://tekpest.com
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